Premier League: Manchester United vs Chelsea preview and live stream
Preview
The elongated Gameweek 37 of the 2022/23 Premier League season is coming to a close, with a highly anticipated match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford. With just one point required to secure Champions League qualification, Manchester United aims to seal their top-four position, while Chelsea looks to bounce back from a recent 1-0 defeat against Manchester City. The match will kick off at 7pm (GMT).
In a relatively uneventful match at the Vitality Stadium, Casemiro’s exceptional bicycle kick ensured Manchester United maintained their advantage in the race for a top-four finish. Despite facing criticism throughout the season, goalkeeper David de Gea secured his 17th clean sheet, earning the Golden Glove award.
United sit three points ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand. Avoiding defeat against Chelsea would guarantee them a spot in the Champions League. However, they have a second chance against Fulham if needed. United’s home form, with only eight goals conceded and six consecutive clean sheets, poses a daunting challenge for goal-shy Chelsea.
Following Arsenal’s loss to Nottingham Forest, Manchester City secured their status as champions, allowing Pep Guardiola to field a second-string team against Chelsea. Frank Lampard’s side still failed to spoil City’s celebratory mood. A 12th-minute goal from Julian Alvarez settled the match, leading to Lampard’s seventh defeat in nine games as Chelsea manager.
While Lampard acknowledged signs of progress, Chelsea’s 12th-place position leaves them at risk of dropping further in their remaining fixtures. Their poor away record, with only two wins in their last 13 Premier League matches, adds to the challenge. However, the recent history between Manchester United and Chelsea suggests a sixth consecutive draw is a possibility, which would secure a Champions League spot for Erik ten Hag’s team.
Head-to-Head
The last five league meetings between Manchester United and Chelsea have all ended in draws.
Prediction
Recent encounters between Manchester United and Chelsea have often resulted in draws. However, Thursday’s match provides Manchester United with a favourable chance to break the pattern. We predict a win for the Red Devils
Live Stream: Link 1, Link 2
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